Namco has finally confirmed that Katamari Damacy will not see a release into Europe, news that had been widely predicted. SPOnG spent several hours last week on the hunt for the game, with likely publishing partners Sony and Electronic Arts both denying involvement.
However, proving the silver lining adage, is the revelation that the previously unannounced Katamari Damacy 2 will see a European release. Gamefront is reporting that the update to the cult spherical puzzler will begin shipping globally in 2005, though no other details were offered.
Namco seemingly decided that localising the original, with the sequel just around the corner, made no financial sense, a shame as the original has been widely heralded as one of the most important games in some years.
Expect updates as they break.
However, proving the silver lining adage, is the revelation that the previously unannounced Katamari Damacy 2 will see a European release. Gamefront is reporting that the update to the cult spherical puzzler will begin shipping globally in 2005, though no other details were offered.
Namco seemingly decided that localising the original, with the sequel just around the corner, made no financial sense, a shame as the original has been widely heralded as one of the most important games in some years.
Expect updates as they break.
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Comments
Funky 30 Nov 2004 12:57
1/8
*cough*
Looks a bit pants from the screens, the video of it doesn't look to good either.
Looks a bit pants from the screens, the video of it doesn't look to good either.
kid_77 30 Nov 2004 13:46
2/8
Really? Well thats one off the xmas wish-list then...
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LUPOS 30 Nov 2004 15:19
3/8
i haven't had the chance to play it yet but i have friends who have it and say it is fantastic. Also when looking at the graphics you have to consider that you start off rolling things like ants and end up picking up houses so the amount of things being rendered at any given time is huge, hence the low complexity models. Also keep in mind it is only 20 bucks, considering how much fun this is supposed to be i dont see the down side.
Speaking as an avid PS2 hater, i must say this is one of those few games i am trully jelous of, damn you playstationers! : P
on a different note, it seems a bit lame that they arent comming out with this at all in europe seing as they already have an english version in the us they could atleast let the english speakign areas have it. basically free money for them since there is no localaization needed for england, sept maybe the switch to pal but that doesn't really require any effort.
_______
Speaking as an avid PS2 hater, i must say this is one of those few games i am trully jelous of, damn you playstationers! : P
on a different note, it seems a bit lame that they arent comming out with this at all in europe seing as they already have an english version in the us they could atleast let the english speakign areas have it. basically free money for them since there is no localaization needed for england, sept maybe the switch to pal but that doesn't really require any effort.
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Mecha Ghandi 30 Nov 2004 16:17
4/8
LUPOS wrote:
on a different note, it seems a bit lame that they arent comming out with this at all in europe seing as they already have an english version in the us
I agree. This is a poor state of affairs, IMO Katamari Damacy is one of the best PS2 games this year, and one of the most inventive games of all time. It scooped creative design awards (beyond just the games industry) in Japan and sold out pretty much instantaneously across the US (becasue they didn't make enough copies). Everyone I know who's played it loves it.
We deserve a PAL version of the original as well as any sequel. Hmph.
*sulks*
schnide 30 Nov 2004 20:01
5/8
Oh alright then Namco, I'll let you off if you bring the sequel to Xbox too.. oh go on, you know you want to.
Joji 1 Dec 2004 06:47
6/8
I agree we need a PAL version of the original, perhaps they should give away the original for half price or free when you buy the sequel, would make a good purchase insentive.
Other than that it's import and action replay city for me, cause I'll be damned if I'm gonna miss the original, because of Namco and no big PAL release.
Other than that it's import and action replay city for me, cause I'll be damned if I'm gonna miss the original, because of Namco and no big PAL release.
Joji 1 Dec 2004 06:52
7/8
Katamari is one of those games you can't judge on looks, Funky. If you want to really find out how good it is, go to your nearest import games shop and ask them about it, I'm sure they would let you sample it's delights.
vault 13 5 Dec 2004 20:01
8/8
Yeah being an American DOES have it's advantages! The only things they really need to add is more levels, a really small to ultra giant ball level (The game gives you a larger and larger ball when you start each new round. There's no 1cm -> 800m levels), and different options for single and multiplayer objectives.